Researchers have conducted a
meta-analysis of relevant randomized trials to assess whether folic acid
supplementation reduces the progression of atherosclerosis as measured by
carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). This analysis included 2,052 subjects
from 10 folic acid randomized trials. The analysis showed that folic
acid supplementation significantly reduces the progression of CIMT,
particularly in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or high
cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk but not in subjects who were generally
healthy with only elevated homocysteine concentrations. Furthermore,
meta-regression analysis of the data showed that the baseline CIMT levels and
the percent reduction of homocysteine were positively related to the effect
size. Consistently, a greater beneficial effect was seen in those trials with
baseline CIMT levels ≥0.8 mm, and a reduction in the homocysteine concentration
≥30%. The authors conclude "Our findings underscore the importance of
identifying target populations that can particularly benefit from folic acid
therapy".
Qin X, Xu M, Zhang Y, Li J, Xu X,
Wang X, Xu X, Huo Y. Effect of folic acid supplementation on the progression of
carotid intima-media thickness: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled
trials. Atherosclerosis. 2012 Jun;222(2):307-13.
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